Jayden stood in front of the gates of a mansion that didn't exist on any map — surrounded by withered roses that whispered secrets when touched.
It was midnight.
He had followed the clue from Saphira's kiss.
A woman in red awaited him inside. Pale, regal, with haunting eyes that mirrored his own.
"Jayden…" she said, voice like broken glass dipped in honey. "You've grown into him."
"Who are you?"
She smiled sadly. "Your mother."
Jayden didn't blink.
"My real mother."
---
She showed him a locket — one that matched the one Jayden wore since he was seven.
Inside: two babies.
One marked L, the other J.
"You were twins. You and Lucien. But only one of you was allowed to live in the light."
Jayden's hands clenched.
"And my father?" he asked.
She looked down.
"Died… for loving the wrong son."
Jayden's voice dropped. "Then who is Comfort?"
The woman's eyes gleamed.
"She's the final seal. The vessel. But even she doesn't know that yet."
---
As Jayden stormed out of the mirror mansion, a stranger appeared in his path.
A child — maybe ten — barefoot, eyes glowing.
He handed Jayden a crimson gem, warm to the touch.
"The first key is emotion," the child whispered. "You unlocked it the night you kissed pain."
The gem melted into Jayden's chest.
It burned… and lit up a hidden rune beneath his collarbone.
--
Comfort woke up screaming.
But she wasn't alone.
Around her floated five silver shards — each showing a different version of herself. In one, she was a princess. In another, a killer. In another, Jayden's bride.
She backed away.
The mirror behind her cracked.
Suddenly — an unfamiliar beauty stepped through the wall. Curves like sin, eyes like twilight.
"I'm Zaria. You're the seal. I'm here to protect you from yourself."
Comfort collapsed.
---
The biggest campus event of the year was announced:
The Riverborne Prom Royale.
Theme: Elegance Under Fire
Winner: Crowned with access to the Eternal Archives — where forbidden truths sleep.
Jayden wasn't interested in games.
But when he saw the name of Lucien's date?
Gloria.
His heart cracked.
And he made a decision.
He would go — not to win.
But to end the illusion.
---
In a secluded corridor lit by flame, Gloria whispered to a masked girl.
"She still loves him. That Comfort girl."
The masked girl — tall, breathtaking, eyes colder than ice — didn't respond.
Gloria placed a hand on her shoulder. "He'll never love anyone but her."
The girl turned slowly. Her voice was soft. Chilling.
"Then maybe I'll take his heart… and hers."
---